Pope Benedict XVI has sent his greetings to the new Russian Orthodox patriarch, pledging to work for closer relations and citing areas of common interest. The Vatican released a personal message Monday from Benedict to Patriarch Kirill a day after his installation as successor to the late Patriarch Alexy II.

Plans for the construction of a new Russian Orthodox church have been approved by Helsinki building authorities. The Orthodox Congregation of St. Nicholas, which operates under the Patriarchate of Moscow, has been hoping to build a new church in Itäkeskus in the east of Helsinki since 2004. However, the traditional Russian onion-domed church as been difficult to adapt to the urban landscape of the area.

A small company in San Antonio, Texas has re-created, as an art form, an authentic and faithful-to-scripture set of the two stone tablets referred to in the Bible. The company, HaShem Artworks, will sponsor its initial public display at the Norris Conference Centers located in Crossroads Mall in San Antonio. The exhibit will be limited to two hours-on Sunday, February 8, 2009, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. There is absolutely no admission charge. HaShem Artworks wants the public to be able to see these authentic Two Stone Tablets so that people will know that the Ten Commandments as given in the original ancient language and which bear the name of the Deity of Judaism and of Christianity are "back" into the world as credible re-creations.

Your All Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, our dear and beloved brother in Christ and concelebrant, we Greet Your Holiness in the Lord, and address ourselves to you.

It is with great joy that we heard the joyous announcement of your most worthy election to the Patriarchal Throne of the Church of Russia .

Your spiritual person, your broad and well known theological knowledge, your many years of experience regarding ecclesiastical issues, especially your love for our Holy Church and the faithful people of God, provide the guarantee for your bright Patriarchal tenure.

We all wholeheartedly, therefore, pray that the Arch Shepherd Jesus Christ will strengthen your All Holiness, in constant health and much strength, and for many years, rightly keeping the word of His Truth, for the commendation and praise of the Russian Church and all Orthodoxy.

In congratulating you again for your most worthy election, we embrace Your All Holiness and remain Your beloved brother in Christ.

On 22nd January 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, in the Throne Room of the Patriarchal Mansion , awarded the departing Ambassador of Cyprus to Egypt , His excellency Mr. Petros Eftychiou, the Cross of the Apostle and Evangelsit Mark, with a Star.